2009 Tennessee Titans Roster Review: Linebackers

Not sure if you have heard this or not, but Keith Bulluck is set to become a free agent in a couple of days.  Since his name is the first thing you think of when you hear the words Titans and linebacker together, we will start this roster review with him.

Bulluck was having another solid season before his season was cut short with an ACL injury in the game against the Dolphins.  The concerns with Bulluck are obvious- he turns 33 in April and is coming off a serious knee injury, but it will be tough for the Titans to replace what he brings to the organization on and off the field.  It would seem to be in the best interest of both parties to work out a short-term incentive latent laden deal because it is doubtful that any club is going to give KB a long term deal.  That would minimize the risk for the Titans and give KB the chance to prove that he can still play. 

Stephen Tulloch is the emerging star of this group.

He has gotten better every single year and is a valuable commodity because he can play inside and outside.  The knock on him early was he was to aggressive and sometimes didn't play his assignments, but he proved last year that he can keep that same aggression while playing within the system.

Tully is set to become a restricted free agent with no CBA and is essential that the Titans get something done with him because of the question marks surrounding the other linebackers.

Thornton is still under contract, and his agent said this week that he has no intentions in retiring.  It will be interesting to see what happens with him with all of the question marks surrounding the other linebackers, but I don't see him in the two-toned blue next season.

Gerald McRath showed signs that he is going to be a good linebacker in this league, which is good because he is going to be a guy the Titans are going to lean on heavily.

McRath saw a lot of action in '09 filling in for Bulluck and Thornton and played well.  He will enter camp with a starting spot because there is a 0% chance that both KB and Thornton are back.  He should be even better with a full offseason to learn under Dave McGinnis.

There are other linebackers on the roster but none of them are any good.  Linebacker is a spot that the Titans will be targeting on draft day because they need depth if nothing else.